BLUEFIELD - Football opened the 2018 season with a 26-14 win over the Cumberland University Phoenix, Saturday night at Mitchell Stadium.
The Rams overcame a 14-10 halftime deficit and relied on a strong defensive effort to gain the win.
Key plays for the Rams were a 60-yard touchdown pass from Cason Whitt to Jeff Hughes in the third quarter and a fourth quarter blocked punt in the end zone by Isaiah Fenner that was recovered by Michael Everett for the Rams final score.
As a team Bluefield held Cumberland to 260 yards of total offense.

SCORING
FIRST QUARTER
CU - Dezmond Huntley 1 yard run (Ian Spence kick) 
SECOND QUARTER
BC - Tanner Griffith 47 yard field goal
CU - Telvin Rucker 5 yard run (Spence kick)
BC - Cason Whitt 4 yard run (Tanner Griffith kick)
THIRD QUARTER
BC - Tanner Griffith 34 yard field goal
BC - Jeff Hughes 60 yard pass from Cason Whitt (Griffith kick)
FOURTH QUARTER
BC - Michael Everett blocked punt recovery in end zone (pass faile),d)

LEADERS
Cason Whitt - 13-for-28 passing 202 yards, 1 touchdown
Charles Black - 4 receptions, 73 yards
Jeff Hughes - 4 recepctions, 66 yards, 1 touchdown
Tanner Griffith - 2 field goals (Long 47), 2 extra points
DaMarcus Wimbush - 10 tackles (6 solo, 1 TFL)
Devon Jackson - 10 tackles
Shaun Kolb - 9 tackles
Michael Everett - 8 tackles

UP NEXT
The Rams (1-0) will host Keiser (Fla.) University on Saturday, Sept. 1. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Mitchell Stadium.